With the conflict heating up between the Horde and Alliance in Pandaria, both sides continue to seek the upper hand in this seemingly endless conflict. While the Alliance grows stronger amid the pressures of war, the Horde, under the weight of Garrosh’s command, continues to fracture. The Darkspear Trolls are rebelling, Orgrimmar is on lock down, and the Warchief has sent crews into the Vale of Eternal Blossoms and into the Northern Barrens in search of resources to push his war machine forward.

*Warning: May contain spoilers

In patch 5.3, we’re turning up the heat between the Horde and Alliance with a new chain of level 90 quests that will take you further into this ever evolving story. Beginning with a letter and quest (War is Coming) from Lorewalker Cho, you’ll be asked to seek him out in the Seat of Knowledge within the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.

Lorewalker Cho sets the stage for the Blood in the Snow Scenario

He’s been keeping a close eye on the action between the Horde and Alliance and has a tale or two to share, though incomplete. Using the Dream Brew (or queuing through the Dungeon Finder) you’ll experience the Blood in the Snow and Dark Heart of Pandariascenarios before being sent on to Durotar to continue your journey.

Lorewalker Cho's Dream Brew

Tip: You can queue for both scenarios using the Dungeon Finder and these scenarios are available to both the Horde and Alliance.

Battlefield:Barrens

The battle for the Barrens has begun in earnest and your efforts could be the difference for the future of both the Horde and the Alliance. While both sides have different motivations, the end result– the removal of Garrosh from power–remains the same.

Horde: Vol’jin Makes his Move

For Horde players, it’s time to meet up with Ki’ta Arrowtusk in Sen’jin Village who will lead you to Vol’jin. He’s alive and well thanks to Chen Stormstout’s aid and he’s not alone. Both Chen and Thrall are with him but he needs the aid of more members of the Horde to truly rebel. Things aren’t all that peaceful in the Village and you’ll soon need to help deal with the Kor’kron who have managed to lock down the Troll section of Orgrimmar and are looking to take control of other Darkspear Troll strongholds before things get too out of hand.

Vol'jin discusses the rebellion.

Once you’ve dealt with the Kor’kron in Sen’jin Village, you’ll be sent to Razor Hill as Vol’jin works his way and his troops toward Orgrimmar.

*Tip: You may want to speak with Zulu de Voice outside of Razor Hill for a small buff that will aid your allies.

The forces on the move.

Razor Hill is just a temporary stop for Vol’jin and the rebellion, but before they can move on toward their ultimate goal, they’re going to need supplies –lots of supplies. You’ll be asked to go out into the Northern Barrens to steal supplies from the various Kor’kron supply locations. Completing this quest will unlock a weekly quest.

Alliance: SI-7 Reporting

After months of preparation, the Alliance war machine is turning toward the heart of enemy territory. But Varian Wrynn doesn’t want to commit any regular forces until he knows exactly what to expect. That’s where the agents of the SI:7 come in, and they’re going to need your help. After you complete “The Dark Heart of Pandaria,” you’ll be sent to reinforce the SI:7 spies outside of Orgrimmar. (Don’t worry – a gnome named Gleep Chatterswitch has set up transportation to nearby Ratchet from the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.) Your mission? Scout out a naval landing site, learn the enemy’s weaknesses, and give your landing forces any advantage you can find.

Using top-secret SI:7 gadgetry, you’ll get an early look at the forces that will be arrayed against you when you assault Orgrimmar and you’ll also discover that the Horde is falling apart. The trolls are in active rebellion. This may just be the opportunity you’re waiting for – a way for heroes like you to sow chaos and bloodshed behind enemy lines, without risking a single Alliance soldier!

A formidable barrier of entry.

Here, Alliance players are placed right in the center of the action, being sent personally as an envoy of the Alliance to the rebel leader: Vol’jin of the Darkspear. With a little deft political maneuvering you can earn his trust, securing a potential Alliance beach landing and ensuring that trolls and orcs kill one another up and down Durotar. This is an opportunity that the Alliance doesn’t want to pass up, and the more the Horde fights amongst themselves, the stronger the position of the Alliance in this game of cat and mouse.

A Horde divided.

Fortunately, stoking the fires of rebellion is easy enough. By killing Kor’kron in the Barrens and delivering their stolen supplies to the rebels, you ensure that Garrosh’s power structure crumbles around him. Once Vol’jin buys into the Alliance’s plan, a new weekly quest will open up.

Both: Stealing Supplies from the Kor’kron

After the initial quest to steal supplies for Vol’jin at the outpost outside of Razor Hill, you’ll be tasked with a weekly quest to collect four different resources: Kor’kron Oil, Kor’kron Lumber, Kor’kron Meat, and Kor’kron Stone. Completing this quest will reward Radical Mojo, which can be used at the Quartermaster.

These can each be gathered in one of four static locations throughout the Northern Barrens. You can also gain resources by killing Kor’kron, escorting caravans, or scavenging from overturned Kor’kron Caravans. There is strength in numbers, and you’d be well advised to find a friend or two to help make sure the Kor’kron know just who they’re up against.

Kor'kron meat and oil production in the Barrens

Escorting Caravans

From time to time, an announcement will be made in the zone that a caravan of supplies needs to be escorted. A small icon representing the caravan will show on the zone map when it becomes available. You (and hopefully some allies) need to help protect it from Kor’kron Raiders as it makes its way across the Barrens. You’ll gain a buff for staying near the caravan which will stack over time. The longer you stay with it, the more stacks of the buff you’ll get up to a total of ten stacks. If you manage to successfully escort the caravan to its destination, you’ll be rewarded with some Surplus Supplies. The amount you receive will depend on how long you were a part of the caravan escort and the buff stacks you’ve accrued.

Caravans are vulnerable to Kor'kron attacks.

Overturned Kor’kron Caravans

A zone wide announcement will be made when a Kor’kron caravan has been overturned. This is a great way to gather some additional resources in a quick snatch and grab before the Kor’kron manage to recover their supplies.

Overturned Kor'kron Caravan

Elite Commanders

If you really want to do some damage to Garrosh’s troops, you’ll get the opportunity when an Elite Commander is spotted in the zone. You’ll need help though if you want to come out of this encounter alive. These are some of the toughest Kor’kron that Garrosh has at his command and they won’t go down without a fight.

An Elite Commander awaits you.(You'll want to bring friends.)

Battlefield: Barrens Rewards

You’ll be able to scavenge Latent Kor’kron Armor (iLevel 489) from the battlefield or from the Darkspear Quartermaster, and with your weekly quest reward –“Radical Mojo”– you can upgrade the armor into a usable item. These items will have randomized stats that may have some unexpected results that you won’t be able to get from other gear.

Vanity items are also available for purchase to help you remember your time besieging Orgrimmar with fondness.

For Brawler’s Guild members, you’ll want to get your hands on the Raptor Hide Boxing Gloves. You can read more about Brawler’s Guild updates here.

The rebellion's quest Hub in Razor Hill

New titles can also be earned for taking part in this event. Horde players can earn the “Darkspear Revolutionary” title while Alliance players will earn the title, “Hordebreaker”.

Return to Pandaria

Chen Stormstout has another quest waiting for you where he’ll send you back to Pandaria to learn more of what’s in store for the future of Azeroth. You’ll definitely want to follow this one to its conclusion and earn a glorious set of epic boots.

But, Wait! There’s More.

These events won’t last forever. Much like other world events in the past, it’s likely to end with the conclusion of patch 5.3 where the story will continue beyond the barrens and take the next step toward what could be a historic shift in power.